there's brand-new 3.9% medicare tax on high wage earners and a tax for wealthy donations. primarily between house republicans and the obama white house in the senate. but a survey done by northern trust of high net worth individuals' priorities found 44% saying their top priority for the country is economic growth and reducing unemployment versus 19% for reducing the federal budget deficit. another 15% said they wanted to see an end to gridlock. good luck. now, as far as their own wealth preservation strategies. that same survey found high net worth persons, those with $5 million or more in assets, obviously much more proactive in anticipating the tax consequences of going over the cliff than those with $1 million or less in assets. simon? >> okay, hampton, busy days. hampton pearson there in washington. straight ahead, a looming port strike that could cost the u.s. economy billions of dollars. the mayor of houston will join us live to tell us how this strike will affect her cities and cities right along the east coast. "squawk on the street" will be right back. off vietna